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Israeli-born Turkish citizen singer Linet delivered strong remarks on Gaza before her concert in Izmir.
She spoke to journalists ahead of her stage performance at a venue in the Alsancak district. Her comments addressed the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and criticized the Israeli government.
Linet described the situation in Gaza as a human tragedy. She said, "What is happening in Gaza is a human tragedy."
She added, "I feel shame on my own behalf while watching what is happening in Gaza." She also stated, "I condemn in the strongest terms the oppression that the Israeli government is inflicting on the people of Gaza."
She rejected claims that she spoke for any political position. She said, "I am neither a defender of the Israeli government nor a spokesperson for any political agenda. I am only an artist." She also stressed, "Above all I am a human, then an artist."
Journalists asked Linet why she waited to make a clear public statement.
She responded, "The course of events took on so many different dimensions. It went in other directions." She added, "I actually made statements, but it was not the right time. No matter what I said, it was misunderstood."
The singer explained her position by saying, "I am in a position that is very open to misinterpretation. People saw me as a side in this issue."
Linet said she understood public anger. She stated, "I understand and respect this justified anger. But I am not the reason for this anger." She repeated that she did not act on behalf of any government or political movement.
Journalists asked Linet whether she accepted the term genocide for what happened in Gaza.
She replied, "Yes, I accept it. The world has accepted it and I accept it too." She added, "There is no other name for the collective destruction of innocent people."
She also said, "No matter who the perpetrator is, I always stand with the victim." Her remarks came shortly before she took the stage for her performance in Izmir.
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